As an organizational development specialist at the Foth Companies and a former St. Norbert communication professor, Carol Cortez is an expert in interpersonal relations. However, even she admits that she sometimes finds the changes in communication technology befuddling.

This interest is the impetus for Cortez’s presentation “A Baby Boomer’s Look at Mobile Technology and Social Media,” which will kick off St. Norbert College’s 2009-10 Women’s Enrichment Series on Sept. 17.

The presentation will revolve around changes in social interaction, namely the development of mobile technologies and social media, and how this impacts interpersonal interaction.

Both social media newcomers and experts will find the presentation useful, Cortez says, as it tackles some tough questions: What are the implications of these new communication opportunities on interpersonal skills and relationships? What are the new boundaries for public and private communication? What is the impact of being available for communication 24 hours a day?

The presentation is the first of many in this year’s series, which will span the entire academic year, building on the success of the inaugural series last spring. The series involves monthly on-campus luncheons and presentations on a wide range of topics, including literature, travel and musical theatre.

In addition to the presentations, the series will offer two bus trips to Chicago this year. The first, on Nov. 19, will take participants to the Magnificent Mile for Christmas shopping, and the second, on June 10, 2010, will feature a tour of the Art Institute of Chicago hosted by the Rev. Jim Neilson, O.Praem., ’88 (Art).